Posts Tagged ‘figurines’

Bandai has created toy robot versions out of virtually everything from Hello Kitty to Mickey Mouse. Now it’s morphing time for Osaka’s iconic “Tower of the Sun.”

Taro Okamoto’s “The Tower of the Sun” was created to commemorate the 1970 World Exposition in Osaka and represents Japan’s past, present and future. Okamoto was known for his promotion of peace in works such his “The Myth of Tomorrow” mural, which depicts the horrors of the atomic bombings.

So we’re not sure how Okamoto would take his reflective tower becoming a menacing robot. The figurine, which will tower over your other toys at 280 mm, has the ability to transform from a tower to its final robot version. Well, actually you have to do the transforming, but still cool, no?

“The Tower of the Sun” figurine will break out of its shell on Sept. 27 and will retail for ¥17,000.

Here’s a new batch of Pulsations, links to fresh stories and visuals about Japan, shout-outs to fellow bloggers and highly clickable stuff that we think you might enjoy.

In no particular order . . .

職人の本気を感じるスマホスタンド「食品サンプルスタンド」４種類は観るだけでお腹がすいてくるクオリティ (from Gigazine): That’s a lot of Japanese for non-speakers, but the photos are what you’re clicking through for! How about propping up your iPhone on a super-detailed food model like the ones they use at restaurants?

Interview with graphic designer Ryo Ueda of Commune (from designboom): “Good identities might look simple on the surface, but are often the result of deep thinking. To err here and just create a simple things for the sake of it is very dangerous. because a superficial, simple design becomes immediately obsolete.”

Here are the latest Pulsations, links to fresh stories and visuals about Japan, shout-outs to fellow bloggers, and highly clickable stuff that we think you might enjoy.

In no particular order, they are . . .

The number of death: Lucky and unlucky numbers in Japan (from LingaLift): In the United States, superstition has led many buildings to lack a 13th floor. In Japan and other Asian counties, the number four carries a similar stigma. Here’s a guide on how to avoid sending a damning message.

Figurine Hair Assemblies by Teppei Kaneuji (from Spoon & Tamago): This artist has made some impressively cohesive works with the colorful plastic follicles. “I don’t feel you can state unequivocally that only stuff made from scratch is any good,” said Kaneuji.

Random Thoughts: Little Culture, Big Culture (from 1,000 Things About Japan): Learning how to say “no” without saying “no.” One blogger discusses some of the more difficult elements of culture shock as a Westerner moving to Japan.

Out on Amazon today is a very funky book titled “Otacool Worldwide Otaku Rooms.” The project, organized by self-confessed otaku Danny Choo is for the moment only published in Japan by Kotobukiya. Otaku around the globe responded to Choo’s call to submit images of themselves posing alongside their precious figurine collections in their homes and the best of these images were put together for the book.